Opihi River

The Opihi River (interactive catchment map)is a hill-fed river with numerous tributary streams; Opuha, Kakahu, Waihi, Tengawai and Temuka, in a total catchment area of approximately 245,000 hectares. It flows some 75km through south Canterbury, in the South Island, before reaching the Pacific coast 10km north of Timaru. The lower reaches of rivers and streams have moderate nutrient enrichment often with high bacterial concentrations. This is most likely a result of the subsequent effects of high landuse pressures from such activities as pastoral beef and sheep, dairying and cropping, through which these waterways flow. Strong Nor’west winds and low annual rainfall during summer months results in the catchment being prone to drought conditions.

Opihi River at SH1 bridge. Image: LAWA

Biodiversity and cultural significance

Extract from the Orari-Opihi Zone Implementation Programme (ZIP)(page 6-7): ‘Water is precious and limited. It must be managed in ways that recognise and balance its importance for cultural, economic and recreational use, aesthetic and landscape values and biodiversity values – and delivers both individual and community good. We affirm and recognise tangata whenua and the value they place on mahinga kai, and the priority of available high quality sources of drinking water in rivers, waterways and aquifers. We also recognise the intrinsic value of aquatic ecosystems and river health (quality and flow), and the need to both prevent further decline and then restore wetlands and waterways. We know that to achieve all the targets of the CWMS within our zone it is necessary to strategically manage the water within our zone and provide opportunities to bring more water into the zone.’

Important Bird Areas on Opihi River: links to 6-page PDF file that includes maps, habitat types, and threats relevant to this river. This document was extracted from Forest & Bird’s 177-page 20Mb file on all rivers, lakes, and coastal areas.